After Lebron James announced he was leaving Cleveland to go to the Miami Heat – Cavs fans were livid. The next couple days were filled with fans burning their Lebron James jerseys, gear and more. We were going to post all the videos here but why reinvent the wheel. Deadspin did a great piece with all the videos they could find. Check it out here.

The image above is a mural that is being removed from a downtown Cleveland building. The building and mural are nearly 10 stories tall. Cleveland fans are clearly upset at “the king” Lebron James for making his decision to leave. But come on – why such drastic measures so soon.

Statement from Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert addressed to Cleveland fans in the aftermath of LeBron James announcing he plans to sign with the Miami Heat:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight.

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….

The Cavs have released an official statement following the Lebron James decision to go to the Miami Heat. It reads…

“We believe in this team, this organization, this community, and what we will do to compete at the highest level. We believe in the new coach and leader we have in Byron Scott, and the world class basketball organization and positive and strong culture we’ve established. Dan Gilbert and our ownership group are firmly committed to reaching our goals and succeeding on the court and in the community, at the highest level.”

“Our fans stepped up and showed their support, to a degree unlike anywhere else. We are fortunate to have the support of the best fans in the NBA. That passion and dedication will be rewarded. We will work relentlessly to continue to build a team that will contend. A team that will win championships. We are all competitors and our one goal is to win, that and Dan Gilbertand our ownership team’s commitment and investment in this organization and community are constants that will not change.”

Lebron Signs with Miami Heat – congrats LeBron. We will take a little bit to digest this and come back with more later!

Ok we’re back. Haha. So Lebron James is taking his talents to South Beach. Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh teaming up with the King. WOW. What a team this is going to be. So if you missed the ESPN Sports “The Decision” 1 hour special where Lebron announced he is signing with the Miami Heat – you can listen to it and watch it below.

ClubLebron.com is running a new giveaway for it’s members. The one lucky winner will receive 2 tickets to watch Lebron James play in his “new” city during the 2010-2011 season. To register is free and easy. 1)Become a Facebook fan of Club Lebron2) Join ClubLebron.com Newsletter (ON THE RIGHT) DONE. We will pick one lucky winner on to win 2 tickets to see Lebron James play during the 2010-2011 season!

So the biggest rumor of the morning is that Lebron James is heading to the Miami Heat to play alongside with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Is this a good idea? Let’s take a look at some of the issues and let you decide for yourself if Lebron James in Miami will hurt his legacy.

Lebron James Will Win Championships

In Miami there is no question in anyones mind that Lebron James will win championships. That’s 3/5 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars playing on one team. All three guys in their prime. We could be talking multiple championships. Wade has a deep desire to win games and championships, Bosh is the perfect complimentary big man, and James is just a freak and stud. This combination WOULD WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. We see this as a huge plus for Lebron James. He could go down in history as the greatest player with several championships. +1

Such Thing as Watered Down Champs?

There is a common belief that because he would have won championships with 2 other NBA All-Stars that this waters down the fact that Lebron James won a championship. I don’t buy it. A championship is a championship. Every team has to have the pieces in place to win it. Trust me, if the Miami Heat win an NBA Championship with Lebron James on the team – it will be LARGELY because of him. But because the general public feels this way his legacy could be tarnished. You will always hear the people talking… “Lebron James won championships BUTTTT they assembled an all-star team to do it. He couldn’t do it by himself.” Because of this, going to Miami could be a negative thing. -1

This is Dwyane Wade’s Town

To me it would seem a little different if Wade and Bosh were coming to Cleveland to join Lebron. It would feel like Lebron’s team. But because Wade has been in Miami all his career and won a championship there – this is Dwyane Wades team and city. Lebron would essentially be a piece of the puzzle they are adding. Is this what Lebron wants? Can he handle not being THE MAN. Anywhere else Lebron James goes he instantly becomes GOD in that city. But not in Miami. He will have to share the spotlight with the guy the Heat fans already LOVE. -1

Stats, Stats, Stats

Three all-stars on one team means less shots and ultimately stats to go around. Is there any way Lebron will average 30 PPG on this team? Nope. Wade will get his 22+, Bosh will get his 20+ and Lebron might be at 25ish PPG. While this doesn’t sound like a huge deal – how will Lebron James handle sharing the shots, rebounds, steals, etc… He is a statistics nut. His individual boxscore is usually loaded with every number imaginable. There are only so many stats to be had in a game and with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James in Miami I see this as an issue. Not saying Lebron James only cares about stats – but he’s always been the best player on his team BY FAR. He wants his stats. -1

The Conclusion

So you can read all of this and determine for yourself if you think Lebron James to the Miami Heat would hurt his legacy in the long term. Personally, I think it will. I think many people will be bitter about such an all-star team forming. They will view Lebron James in a different manner and always be grumbling about him not being able to do it without Wade and Bosh. And imagine for a minute if they FAIL to win the championship with this team of elite guys? WHOA! The rain would start to pour on Lebron James. Going to Miami is not a good idea Lebron. Just sayin!

Carlos Boozer signed a very nice contract with the Chicago Bulls just a day before Lebron James was set to announce his decision. So let’s look at this from a Bulls perspective. Was the signing a last minute attempt to lure Lebron James to Chicago? Absolutely. They know Lebron is not coming to Chicago so they are making every last effort to change his mind. Boozer is a 20-10 guy every single night. He is a veteran leader who you can win a championship with. Even with Lebron James, this makes the Chicago Bulls a force in the East. Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. That’s no slouch roster. Add Lebron James to that Chicago roster and the Bulls are suddenly the team to beat in all of the NBA.

Now from a Lebron James perspective. Does this signing make it any more likely that he’ll go to the Chicago Bulls. VERY LITTLE in our opinion. Lebron James has played a year with Carlos Boozer. I don’t think Lebron is going to get overly excited to play with a 35 year old veteran who he has little in common with. He wants to play with a guy his age that he can relate to and have fun with outside of the game. This desperate attempt will not bring Lebron James to the Bulls.